Improvement in machines for melting snow



- snow between the wheels.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Jonn MULLALY, for NEW roan, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT m MAQIHILNES FOR MELTING snow.

Specification forming part of Late'i raant No. 136,863, dated March 18, 1873.

' To all whomt't may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN MULLALY, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Melt, in g Snow; and I do hereby declare that ithe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, that will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the. same, reference being had to the accompanying. drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon which form apart of this specification;

This invention has relation to an apparatus for melting snow and ice on streets by the use of steam projected in the form of spray or jets; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices whereby the steam may be thrown in any desired direction, sub stantially in the manner hereinafter described;

In the drawing, Figure l is a side elevation and partial section of my invention. Fig.2 is

a front or face view of movable steam-distributer for front of snow-melter. Fig. 3 is a face view of movable side distribnter. under-side view of perforated tank.

A in the drawing shows a steam-boiler, with" furnace B attached, the whole mounted. on wheels B, for which sleigh-runners may he sometimes substituted. 0 designates an ob} long tank, of any suitable form, that shown in drawing being preferable. This tank is located underneath the boiler, and occupies nearly the entire space between the wheels.

The bottom of said tank is perforated,as shown, to allow steam to be thrown upon the The steam isad mitted to the tank from the boiler or froma steam-drum by means of tubes D. The sides of said tank are closed to prevent steam from being thrown oil at the sides of the a'ppara tus constantly. E designates a flexible" or hinged apron surrounding the tank, and"de signed to prevent the escaping steamfrom passing out at the sides of the apparatus'fin such a manner as to frighten horses or endantrolled by means of the cooks h.

Fig. 4 is an ger the safety of pedestrians on the sidewalks. This apron is attached to the tank or located closeto it to admit of the useof the devices G G, which consist of pivoted steam-chests supported by arms H, and communicating with the boiler or steam-drum by means of the flexible pipe-coupling g and pipes g, as shown. One side of each chest is perforated for the distribution of steam, which is con- These chests may be turned by means of cranks A or otherwise, and are employed and arranged in the manner shown, so that the steam may be thrown against heaps of snow in front of or at the sides of the apparatus. Generally, the steamtank may be employed alone to obtain a constant distribution of steam to melt the snow between the wheels. The movable chests are, however, essential, especially the one in front, as snow-heaps will obstruct the progress of the machine. I

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The machine for melting snow, consisting of the steam-boiler A, furnace B, tank 0 with perforated bottom, apron E, and auxiliary distributers G G, arrranged substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

2. The movable perforated steam-chests G G, constructed and arranged substantially as specified.

33A machine for melting snow and ice on streets and pavements, consisting of a truck moii'iited on plain tired or rimmed wheels, and supporting a steam-boiler and furnace and a horizontal steam-tank, the latter located be tween the Wheels, perforated in its lower surface, and otherwise constructed as shown, and having communication with the steam-boiler, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I V have hereunto set my hand.

Witnesses: JOHN MULLALY.

J 0s. '1. K. PLANT, M. DANL. OoNNoLLY. 

